The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched the Cybersecurity Talent Management System (CTMS), a new personnel system that will enable DHS to more effectively recruit, develop, and retain its top cybersecurity professionals.
CTMS will enable DHS to fill mission-critical cybersecurity positions by screening applicants based on demonstrated competencies, competitively compensating employees, and reducing the time it takes to be hired into the Department, it said in a statement. “The DHS Cybersecurity Talent Management System fundamentally re-imagines how the Department hires, develops, and retains top-tier and diverse cybersecurity talent,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas.
“As our Nation continues to face an evolving threat landscape, we cannot rely only on traditional hiring tools to fill mission-critical vacancies. This new system will enable our Department to better compete for cybersecurity professionals and remain agile enough to meet the demands of our critical cybersecurity mission.”
CTMS builds on the Department’s efforts to create a robust, diverse cybersecurity workforce and fill critical positions. Earlier this year, Secretary Mayorkas announced the most successful cyber hiring initiative in the Department’s history and established the Secretary’s Honors Program to recruit talented recent graduates.
Employees hired through this system will join the new DHS Cybersecurity Service, the federal cybersecurity team working to protect U.S. critical infrastructure and the American people from cybersecurity threats and increase nationwide resilience. DHS will initially leverage CTMS to fill high-priority jobs at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and DHS Office of the Chief Information Officer.
Beginning in 2022, DHS Cybersecurity Service jobs will be available across several DHS agencies with a cybersecurity mission, the agency said. Federal hiring practices need to meet mission and market demands in the dynamic field of cybersecurity. CTMS is one tool that will help DHS overcome challenges related to recruiting, developing, and retaining top-tier cybersecurity talent.
The US government has been upping the ante on cyber security initiatives as number of cyber attacks have increased alarmingly in 2021. Recently, US United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Department of State (DOS), and Department of Energy (DOE) have lent their support to the Japan–U.S. Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Cybersecurity Week which was held from October 25-29, 2021.
